The author(s)

Washington, D.C. - Four in ten Americans (43%) approve of the job President Trump is doing as president, unchanged from last week. Trump's support is driven primarily by his Republican base, where 83% approve of his job performance. Democrats (15%) and Independents (35%) are much more critical.

One-third of Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction - this is also unchanged from last week. More than half of Americans (54%) believe that the country is headed on the wrong track, up one-point from last week. Republicans are most optimistic about the direction of the country, with 68% reporting America is headed in the right direction. Just 14% of Democrats and 22% of Independents feel the same way.

A majority of Americans continue to approve of the way President Trump is handling the economy (50%) and employment and jobs (51%). Americans are much more likely to be critical of Trump's handling of Russia (36%), the environment (36%), and corruption (38%).

Healthcare and immigration are tied this week for the most important problem America faces - both at 19%. More Democrats continue to see healthcare (27%) as a more important problem than immigration (11%), while Republicans view immigration (32%) as the most important problem, compared to healthcare (12%). Independents view healthcare (17%) and the economy (16%) as the most pressing issue.

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between December 12-18, 2018. For the survey, a sample of 2,201 Americans, including 902 Democrats, 783 Republicans, and 280 Independents ages 18+ were interviewed online. The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points for all adults, 3.7 percentage points for Democrats, 4.0 percentage points for Republicans, and 6.7 percentage points for Independents. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.

With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,780.5 million in 2017.